● FAQ Answered by the Therapists at CBT Westport
What type of therapy is practiced?
We are extensively trained and certified in a number of evidence-based therapies. Our primary approach is cognitive behavioral (CBT). In addition, we regularly incorporate mindfulness-based behavioral therapy techniques into our sessions, particularly those practiced in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. We are committed to both finding the approach that best fits each client’s needs, while utilizing those therapies that have a strong base of research indicating they work. For more information about the types of therapy practiced with adults, click here, and with children, click here.
How do I get started?
First, please explore this website and see if our expertise and approach to therapy are consistent with your personal ideas of what you are seeking in therapy. Then, you are welcome to call (or email) CBT Westport, LLC, to have a brief phone consultation to answer any preliminary questions you may have. You need not know a diagnosis or specific therapy goals before calling. We are happy to speak to you and give you information to help you decide if starting with her would be a good fit. If so, we will schedule an intake session with you to have a more detailed discussion about what brings you to therapy and how we may be able to help.
How often will we meet and for what duration?
Most clients will meet on a weekly basis. The initial intake session is held for 90 minutes to allow ample time for you to share your current concerns, review your history, clarify diagnostic questions, and collaboratively set initial therapy goals. All future appointments are held for 45 minutes. We are committed to providing short-term, evidence-based therapies. We will discuss an estimate of the length of time required to meet your needs at the beginning of therapy. Most people attend sessions for between three to twelve months, although they may stay shorter or longer lengths of time, depending on the nature of a client’s concerns, as well as their personal therapy goals.
Do you accept insurance?
We are out-of-network providers. This means that insurance is not processed directly by psychologists at CBT Westport, LLC. Instead, billing statements with all the information required by insurance carriers to provide out-of-network reimbursement are given directly to the client. As an initial step, you can call your insurance provider to inquire about their reimbursement rate for out-of-network therapy provided by a licensed clinical psychologist.
What about medication?
As clinical psychologists, we do not prescribe medication, but we do regularly coordinate care with doctors who prescribe it. If you are already taking medication, you will continue to be followed by your physician or nurse practitioner. With your permission, we will reach out to your current physician to work jointly with him or her. If you are interested in having us recommend a psychiatrist for a medicine evaluation or second opinion, we will be happy to do so. We regularly work with people who are both on and off medication. Cognitive behavioral therapy has been found to be effective for a number of mental health concerns without additional medication.
What is the No Surprises Act?
The No Surprises Act was put into effect on January 1, 2022, and the goal is to protect consumers from surprise medical bills. At CBT Westport, we discuss treatment length as part of our initial intake session and ongoing throughout treatment. Our goal is to be collaborative and transparent with all of our clients regarding treatment goals, length of therapy, and cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.
● You have the right to a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your scheduled appointment. You can also ask your health care provider and any other provider you choose for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.
● You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services (i.e., weekly psychotherapy)
● If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 1-800-985-3059.